Hello Everyone!

Here is Part Two in the series, "The Meaning of Bird Names"

Enjoy, and Have a Great Day!
Say’s Phoebe, ( Sayornis saya) is a bird in the Flycatcher Family, also known as the Tyrannidae Family, which includes over 400 species of “Tyrant Flycatchers" worldwide. The birds are 7.5 inches long, (19 cm). Male and females are identical. Say’s Phoebe prefers open areas of arid habitats of western North America. Say’s Phoebe can migrate long distances and breeds as far north as Alaska and winters as far south as southern Mexico. The species is named after Thomas Say (1787 – 1834), an American naturalist from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was a descendant of the prominent Bartram family. He was well educated and was a professor of natural history at the University of Pennsylvania. Thomas Say traveled extensively during the early years of American western expansion, documenting over 1,400 animals and insects. There are numerous animals named after Say (in the scientific name). Thomas died of Typhoid Fever at age 47.
Lewis’s Woodpecker, ( Melanerpes lewis): The scientific name “Melanerpes” combines the words “melas” meaning "black" with “herpes” meaning "creeper". The Woodpecker Family is also known as the Picidae Family, which includes woodpeckers, piculets, wrynecks, and sapsuckers . Lewis’s Woodpeckers are about 10–11 inches in length (25–28 cm), males and females are identical. The species is mainly found in the United States, west of the continental divide. Naturalist Alexander Wilson named the species after Meriwether Lewis, of the “Lewis and Clark Expedition, 1803 - 1806”. Meriwether Lewis (1774 – 1809), was born in Virginia and was an avid outdoors adventurer since his early childhood. Meriwether died at age 35 of gunshot wounds in Tennessee and there is controversy about the circumstances of his death about whether he committed suicide or was assassinated.   The plant genus Lewisia , which includes 19 plant species in the Montiaceae Family of flowering plants and shrubs is named after Meriwether and a subspecies of the Westslope Cutthroat Trout: Oncorhynchus clarki lewisi, is named after him as well.  
Heermann’s Gull, ( Larus heermanni) is a Pacific Coast gull of North America, ranging from Vancouver Island, British Columbia to central Mexico. The Gull Family is also known as the Laridae Family, which includes gulls, terns, and skimmers. Heermann’s Gulls are about 19 inches in length (48 cm), and males and females are identical. The bird is named after Adolphus Heermann (~1821 –1865), who was an American naturalist and explorer from Louisiana and South Carolina. He worked with Robert Williamson (Williamson’s Sapsucker) on the Pacific Railroad Survey and documented birds along the route through California and Oregon. Adolphus Heermann died at approximately age 43 of a presumed accidental gunshot wound while he was out collecting specimens alone in Texas. The flora and fauna named after Adolphus: Heermann's Gull ( Larus heermanni), Heermann's Kangaroo Rat ( Dipodomys heermanni), Heermann's Tarweed ( Holocarpha heermannii).
Clark’s Nutcracker, ( Nucifraga columbiana): The genus “Nucifraga” is a variation of the German word “Nussbrecher”, meaning "nut-breaker". Nutcrackers are in the Corvid Family, also known as the Crow Family, which includes all crows, ravens, rooks, jackdaws, jays, magpies, treepies, choughs, and nutcrackers. Like most birds in the Corvid Family, Nutcrackers are omnivores, although they prefer pine nuts.  They are known for seed caching and aiding in the distribution of Limber and Bristlecone Pines. They are very smart and adaptable compared to most birds. Clark’s Nutcrackers are 11 inches in length (28 cm). Male and female Clark’s Nutcrackers are identical and do not migrate; they are resident birds in coniferous forests and mountains of western North America, as far south as the mountains of Arizona and New Mexico. The species is named after William Clark, of the “Lewis and Clark Expedition, 1803 - 1806”. William Clark (1770 – 1838), was raised in Virginia and did not have a formal education. He joined the military at a young age and worked for the U.S. government for most of his life. Clark died at age 68 and is buried at the Bellefontaine Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri. The plant genus Clarkia, which contains 43 species in the Evening Primrose Family ( Onagraceae), is named after him and the Westslope Cutthroat Trout ( Oncorhynchus clarki), as well. 

Bonaparte’s Gull, ( Chroicocephalus philadelphia) is a gull found throughout most of northern North America. The Gull Family is also known as the Laridae Family, which includes gulls, terns, and skimmers. Bonaparte’s Gulls are the third smallest gull species in the world and the birds are 11 to 15 inches in length (28 to 38 cm). Males and females are identical. The bird is named after Charles Bonaparte, (1803 - 1857), who was a French biologist and a nephew of Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. Charles Bonaparte was raised in Italy and traveled extensively. He lived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from 1822 – 1826, where he was active, both socially and scientifically, in the Philadelphia community. He returned to Rome in 1828 and in 1849 he helped create the Roman Republic. From Wikipedia: “He participated in the defense of Rome against the 40,000 French troops sent by his cousin Louis Napoleon. He left Rome after the Roman Republican army was defeated in July 1849. He landed at Marseilles, France, but was ordered to leave the country by Louis Napoleon”. He was allowed to return to Paris in 1850, where he lived the rest of his life until his death at age 54.  Throughout his life, Charles Bonaparte never lost his love for nature and is credited for describing 165 genera, 203 species and 262 subspecies. Birds named after Charles: Bonaparte's Gull, Bonaparte's Nightjar, Bonaparte's Parakeet, Highland Tinamou ( Nothocercus bonapartei).
Washington Diversity Tour
10-Day Tour with Cabins
Tour starts in the northern part of the Olympic Peninsula and travels down the Pacific Coast. From the coast we travel east along the Columbia River and cross the Cascades just south of Mount Rainier. In eastern Washington, we visit sites along the Columbia River Basin. From the rainforest to arid eastern Washington, on this tour you will experience the bio-diversity of Washington state and visit habitats and life zones as diverse as the lowland rainforest, pacific coast, inland lakes, alpine, estuaries and river sloughs.


10-Day Tour with Car Camping
Tour starts with pick-up at the Bainbridge ferry terminal across from Seattle and ends at the Bremerton ferry on your way back to Seattle. You can choose lodging in cabins or tent camping at state parks with nice facilities. Camping is always best because you will be closer to nature. Our tents are very comfortable with lots of thick floor mats and bedding. You will see more birds and wildlife if you choose camping. Web Link
Olympic Peninsula Tour
5-Day Tour with Cabins
The 5-day tour starts with pick-up at the Bainbridge Island ferry terminal, which is easily accessible from the Seattle. From there the tour will travel the entire 350 mile loop of the Olympic Peninsula Highway stopping at all significant wildlife sites including Olympic National Park.


5-Day Tour with Car Camping
You can choose lodging in cabins or tent camping at state parks with nice facilities. Camping is best because you will be closer to nature. Our tents are very comfortable and cozy with lots of thick floor mats and bedding. You will see more birds and wildlife if you choose camping. Web Link
You can find out more and see all our great photos on social media
Check our new website for dates, details and pricing
Call us at 970-556-6103
email: KaiyoteTours@gmail.com
International Travel Tours
New Tours
  • Panama, Birding the Darien for Harpy Eagles
  • Sri Lanka: The best and most relaxing bird tour you will ever experience
  • Nepal: Birding the fantastic Himalayas and a great cultural experience
  • India: Birding for vegetarians, great culture and great food
  • Mongolia: Birding the high steppes and staying in traditional "Gers" for lodging
  • Sarawak and Northern Borneo: Birding and wildlife viewing, including orangutans
  • Korea: Winter birding to view cranes and migrants
  • Japan: Birding the Kyoto and Osaka areas
  • Tallinn, Estonia for Winter Birding and New Year's Eve


Still on the Schedule
  • Iceland: Great tours in May, the best New Year's Eve trip ever, and a special winter tour
  • Sweden: Christmas tour, Southwest Sweden and the Åland Islands for mid-summers'
  • Nicaragua: Our all time favorite place for birding and traveling anytime of year
  • El Salvador: Birding the best National Parks and Pacific Coast
  • Taiwan: A very special place for birding and one of our favorites
  • Colombia: Birding the Andes and Amazon, and having a lot of fun
  • Argentina: Birds and butterflies, more than you can count
  • Brittany, France: Birding the coast, great food and culture

In the United States
  • Santa Fe Birding and Opera Festival
  • Chicago Fun and Urban Birding
Check our website for dates, details and pricing
Call us at 970-556-6103
email: KaiyoteTours@gmail.com

Your Travel and Adventure Guides: Kaiyote & Ed
Photo: Here we are atop the Empire State building in the fall of 2018. We look forward to showing you all the great birds, wildlife and adventures that can be found around the world, the United States and in Washington state. Call us anytime! See you soon!
Kaiyote Tours www.KaiyoteTours.com +1 970-556-6103